New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-14
GOVERNOR RUSK ON STRIKES
SUGGESTIONS TO WISCONSIN LEGISLATORS.
TIE DISCONTINUED MINORITY MUST NOT EXPECT
TO TYRANNIZE OVER THE MAJORITY.
fry rcp ,pI To THE TRIBUNE.

TO TYRANNIzE OVER THE MAJORITY.
tEY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuSE]
CHICAGO, Jan. 13.-The following is the full text OF
that portion OF Governor Rusks message TO tie Wscoh
sin Legislature delivered to-day at Madison relating TO
strikes riots:
While congratulsting you upon our material PROFESS
It IL with deep regret that am Compelled 10 report n'
during the past year the state has in few In
interrupted by strikes and riots OF greater
magnitude, OF violence and Notwithstanding, IN
their consequences than before. In this cohneco
you reminded that will be your duty as LEGISLATORS
to look carefully into the OF these troubles:
and wherein our laws for the prevention oo OF OF
s SanS TO be Or S Will be- duty
them by such legislation "a recent experience ana
re- reoSped Whe aided by
Investigations and discussions will have no doubt lead
T fGaU he OF n al few
tons. which hope Will not be found either mperhen'
The discussion Of labor and capital question has be
come extensive such wide and Is being
dVerspS Of Views and interests that II is not strange IT,
this state Of the discussion there more confusion
this confusion and controversy what is essential
and practicable and in accord with those principles
and embody it in effective law is no light nor trivial
task Il seems to me that very ,mtor, anna
ton "''sh has '"s 50 far been almost lost sight
Of namely, that large majority Of the people OF every
listed and an overwhelming majority Of the whole people
directly parties TO the controversy al az lne
combined are bn, minority fraction of the whole
people whose peace and interests are interrupted ana
their rights violated by these unseemingly ana uheces
sary disturbances. 1t is the right and duty OF
the people-that is. of the great majority n.y.
peace" but will have peace and through the law
and lawfully constituted authorities 10 see 10 IL nat we
do have peace and that disturbers are promptly anu
In few communities comparatively. there are large
bodies of workmen or labores who voluntarily choose to
others for These ny genei al usage are
called workingmen" but they not the only work
uOtth he lahOrcrs
majority Of our people are workers. Ti'n ndang
EQUALLY cor San the p SS5a and title to an
further majority Of the whole number who do manual
%o for ad the Whole product Of
labor to themselves and find market for Their ,nPns
reliant majority is the bone and sinew the pride and
strikes riots nor interference with the opportuniies
liberties and rights of others That their rights ana ther
of small minority who riaicuously assume that they
only laborers OF the country Is wrong 100 mann
fest TO be much longer endured III the parties 10 these
everrecurring disturbances cannot find way of AMIGA
bly, settling their disputes they must be made 10 sp,
such legal arbitration Will mt least protcct INC
peace and dignity of a civilized commonwealth.
In indicating that some additional legislation may be
their mutual relations To each other only the most prom
fun iamenal principles OF natural liberty ana pop
assumed that where person employs himself and works
his premises and on his own material win ms
tools product OF his labor IL all his own 10 90
with he it, That lie must be protected In the Iu
enjoyment OF all the fruits OF his Judgment labor and
sefevdent but where person engages TO WORK for
another anothers premises aud material and WIN
anothers tools machinery, II Is equally clear
that the product belongs to the employer The
workmans claim ends with the receipt OF his stipulated
The states duty and province in such cases i
simply mainta individual rights and enforce the nl
met OF contracts Every ones right 10 work for him
self for any else such terms as he may choose
10 make must be maintained at all hazards. lie VINO IN
terferes With this principle ramples upon the most s
cred OF human rights and upOn consecrated principle
of American liberty. Government should not be
indeed. cannot afford 10 bo-indieIent TO the
welfare OF any class of citizens. and II Is special
dnty to protect the POOR and weak against possible
OF the rich und strong To this END all the
rights and interests OF workngmcn of the wage classes
should be jealousy guarded against injustice or oIPrcs
ut the hands of their employers. Corporations,
created BY authority OF tho State, that IN the nature O
their business must be large employers of labor or maj
the nature Of their business and their charges fI
service. may lnrgey affect the value OF the prod
uct of labor generally 10 the producer, must be
held a strict and just accountability ana
subject the control and regulation OF the SiRc
With these egraan and socialist theories of fnnciiu -
cety deny the right OF private property or VI eacn
individual full protection IN the enjoyment ana control
OF all his lawful earnings, whether attained by Ms own
labor, by contract can have no sympathy. Ihcy
contemplate the destruction OF both justice and liberty
and would accom- pIs the destruction OF both their d
plication existing society were seriously attempted
We are prepared American citizens even 10 con
slider a change In form OF government. Republican
Institutions and individual liberty hand In hand anu
must be and viii he Loyalty maintained.